101st Illinois Infantry

Regimental Flag of the 101st Illinois Infantry
[click on photo for larger image]

--furnished by Joseph P. Carone & Christopher Gorz

Joseph is a member of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW)
and a descendant of James McBride who served in the 101st.
Joseph inquired about the Regimental Flag and found that the flags that
were carried by the unit were in a deplorable condition with almost nothing
left but the netting that was used in an attempt to preserve it. Joseph
undertook a project to make a picture available thru the Internet.
The problem was that there was no picture, drawing or graphics of the
regimental flag for the 101st. Joseph was told that there was at least
five flag makers for the Union Army at that time. One was in Chicago and
one other believed to be in St. Louis.
Their designs varied some with mostly in the scroll work for the unit's
designation. Some flags were even made by the local townsfolk and given
to the units that were carried into battle by them. Joseph learned that the
flags size was by
regulation six ( 6' ) foot by six foot six inches ( 6' 6" ) at the pike
which made this a little different from the flags we see or use today. He
found a outline drawing of a Union Army Regimental Flag in a coloring book.
Christopher Gorz did a fine job of recreating a close likeness from what could
be determined of the 101st Illinois volunteers regimental flag.
The original flags were of a dark blue silk flag and hand
painted. Joseph was told that silken material helped caused the disintegration
over time and destroyed the flags.